What happens to stability if weight is excessively concentrated in one area of a vessel?

When weight is excessively concentrated in one area of a vessel, it tends to lower the vessel's metacentric height (GM) and creates a higher center of gravity, which can significantly affect stability. Stability relies on the distribution of weight throughout the vessel; when weight is unevenly concentrated, it alters the balance and can cause the vessel to become top-heavy.

This situation can lead to a situation where the righting arm, which is crucial for restoring a vessel to an upright position following heeling, is diminished. When the righting arm is too small due to weight being unevenly distributed, the forces acting on the vessel when it heeling can be greater than the righting force, leading to an increased risk of capsizing. Hence, concentrating weight excessively in one area poses a significant danger to vessel stability.